Tong return device



Feb. 11, 1964 D. L. HARDISON 3,120,950

TONG RETURN DEVICE Filed June 5, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ 26 FlG.3

INVENTOR DEAN L. HARDISON,

mw lw ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 11, 1964 D. 1.. HARDISON TONG RETURN DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJune 5, 1959 INVENTOR DEAN L. HARDISON BY t ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 11, 1964 D. L. HARDISON 3,120,950

TONG RETURN DEVICE Filed June 5, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG] 62 INVENTORDEAN L. HARDISON,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,120,950 TONG RETURN DEVICE Dean L.Hardison, Casper, Wyo- (P.0. Box 476, St. Maries, Idaho) Filed June 5,1959, Ser. No. 818,278 Claims. (Cl. 267-1) This invention relates towell rig equipment and the like and particularly to an improved devicefor returning tongs or ratchet wrenches to their ready or staringpositions.

In well drilling equipment the tubular sections of the drill string andalso the sections of the Well casing are secured to one another bythreaded connections and it is necessary to turn the sections by asuitable wrench or tong in order to connect or disconnect them. The tongis conventionally in the form of a one-way gripping or ratchet wrenchhaving a long handle which is rotated by a cable and capstan to move thetongs forward and effect the turning movement; the tong handle must thenbe returned to its starting position for the next operation. This returnmovement has been effected by various devices including long helicalsprings and Weight and pulley assemblies. While these devices haveoperated in a generally acceptable manner, they have not been entirelysatisfactory for all installations and have required the use ofsubstantial space and furthermore in many cases have required unusualsafety precautions. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention toprovide an improved tong return device for well rigs and the like whichis of simple and compact construction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved tongreturn device which is of simple and compact construction and is easy toinstall.

it is a further object of this invention to provide an improved tongreturn device which is of simple construction and provides greatersafety in operation.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Briefly, in carrying out the objects of the invention in one embodimentthereof a tong return unit is provided which includes an elongated armswingably mounted on a base which may be rigidly attached to asupporting structure on a well rig. Between the arm and the base thereis provided a hub structure in the form of a block of rubber or similarmaterial which is twisted on movement of the arm and provides therequired restoring force or torque for moving the tong back to itsstarting position. The center portion of the hub is clamped to the armand is compressed about a tubular core arranged in a hollow passage inthe center portion of the hub. The hub is also clamped longitudinallybetween end pieces secured to the mounting base and the rubber materialis thus held under compression. Interfitting projections and grooves inthe end plates and arm clamp and the rubber block prevent relativerotation betwen the block and these respective parts.

Other embodiments of the invention include arrangements wherein steelsprings provide the required torque, and in one embodiment acompressible gas confined in a cylinder and piston assembly is employedto secure the restoring force.

For a better understanding of this invention, both as to itsorganization and method of operation, reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a well rig provided with a tong return deviceembodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the rig of FIG. 1;

3,120,950 Patented Feb. 11, 1964 FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portionof the base of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view partly broken away of the deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the details of construction of thedevice;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the base portion of the device;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a modified form of the invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side elevation views of two other embodiments of theinvention; and

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view illustrating a further embodiment ofthe invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the well rig illustrated in FIG. 1comprises a platform 10 surrounding the well head indicated generally at11. A tong wrench 12 has een illustrated in engagement with a tubularsection 13 of the drill string assembly. The tong 12 is set forattaching the section 13 to the next section of the assembly and forthis purpose rotates the section in a clockwise direction. The rotationof the tong is effected by a cable 14 attached to the end of the tong bymeans of a pin 15 passing through rearwardly turned lugs in the endassembly of the tong indicated at 16. The cable 14 is passed about acapstan 17 driven by a motor -18, and on tightening of the cable on thecapstan, the tong is drawn toward the cap stan and rotates the casing'13 in a clockwise direction. At the end of the stroke of the tong thecable is loosened on the capstan and is released, whereupon the tong isreturned to its ready or starting position by operation of a returndevice 2%} embodying the invention.

The device 24} includes an adjustable elongated arm 21 swingably mountedin a base '22 on a horizontal axis and connected to the tong 12 by acable 23 which is secured to the end assembly 16 by the bolt or pin 15.A safety cable 24 attached to a fixed ring 25 on the platform 10 andhaving its other end secured by the pin 15 on the backwardly forked endof the tong assembly limits the rotation of the tong. The returnmovement of the tong acts in the manner of a ratchet and the tong isready to grip the tube 13 and again be drawn forward to rotate the tubein a clockwise direction. The forward and return operations are repeateduntil the tube has been threaded into position.

In the event that the tube 13' is to be disconnected from the string,the wrench is applied in the opposite direction and will extend from theother side of the Well head where it can be actuated by extending thecable 14 about a second capstan indicated at 26. For purposes ofeffecting the return movement the return device 20 may be employed or ifdesired a second similar device may be arranged on the opposite side ofthe platform 10'.

It will readily the apparent that the device 26 occupies a relativelysmall space and is easily connected with the tong in a position where itmay be seen at all times by the operator and furthermore, being ofrelatively small size, it may be easily provided with an enclosingguard.

The details of construction of the tong return device are shown in FIGS.3 to 6, inclusive. The base of the device 22 as indicated in FIGS. 3, 5and 6 is provided with bolts 27 which may readily be inserted in keyholeor bayonet slots 28 provided in an I-beam or other rigid structural partof the platform 10, a portion of the beam being indicated at 29' in FIG.3.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the arm 21 of the return device comprisestelescoped tubular sections 31 and 32 which are of rectangular crosssection and may be moved relatively to one another and secured indesired positions by tightening bolts 33 so that the length of the armmay be adjusted. The lower end of the section 31 of the arm 3 isprovided with a clamping device comprising a cylindrical portion 34formed on the tube 31 and a detachable clamping portion 35 secured tothe portion 34 by bolts 36 extending downwardly through flanges on thesection 34 and similar flanges on the section 35 to which they aresecured by nuts 37.

The arm 21 is clamped about a cylindrical member 39 which is molded oris cut from a block of tough resilient rubber or similar material and isprovided with a tubular metal core it? lying in the central area thereofin a tubular passage 41 as clearly shown in FIG. 6. The rubber block orcylinder 39 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves '42about its central portion. and these are engaged by complementary nidges or projections 43 in the clamping portion 34 and projections 44 in theclamping portion 35. The interengaging grooves and projections of theblock and clamp assembly prevent rotation of the block 39 in the clamp.The ends or the block 39 are of generally rounded configuration and fitin cups or sockets 46 formed in end members 47 of the base 22. Theconfiguration of the cups and of the ends of the block 39 provides aclose fit and furthermore the cups are provided with ridges 4'? whichengage complementary grooves 50 formed in the ends of the block 3 Thuswhen the end pieces 47 are clamped in position against the ends of theblock 3%, relative rotation of the parts is prevented.

The blocks 47 are adjustable longitudinally of the base 22 and aresecured thereto by bolts 52 fitting in slots 53 in upturned flanges 54of the base 22. The end pieces 47 are drawn together to compress therubber block 39 by tightening a nut 55 on a bolt 56 which passes throughthe end members 47 and through the central passage within the blOCl 3.In setting up the assembly one of the end pieces 47 is first securelybolted to the base 22 and the nut 55 is then tightened to the desireddegree to provide compression of the bl ck 35 and hold it securely inposition against the metal supporting posts, whereupon the bolts 52 ofthe other end piece are clamped so that both end pieces are securelyheld on the base 22.

It will now be seen that the clamping member comprising the parts 34 and35 securely holds the arm 21 in position on the hub or block 39 which isin turn rigidly held in position between the end pieces 47. As shown inFIG. 6,'a portion of the rubber material of the block 39 is free fromattachment to the metal parts or" the assembly adjacent each of the endpieces. When the arm 21 is rotated away from its normal position, theblock 39 is thus twisted and provides the restoring force or torquenecessary to return the tong to its starting position.

It has been found that this arrangement of a rubber block provides avery effective torque return device. It will be noted that there are norelatively moving parts which rub against one another and producefriction and wear and that the entire relative movement is secured bydistortion of the rubber block. It has been found that this constructionprovides reliable operation over prolonged periods and requires littleattention to keep it in operating condition, it being necessary merelyto maintain the required pressure of the clamping device'at the end ofthe arm 21 and the clamping of the two end pieces against the block, theclamping pressure being sufficiently high to prevent relative movementof the parts of the mechanism with respect to the rubber block 39.

During operation of the tong return assembly the base 22 is securelyattached to the frame of the platform and the cable 23 is secured to thearm by means of a loop or eye 57. provided at the outer end of the arm.The extent of movement of the device 21 and of tong '12 is indicated bythe dotted line showing on FIG. 1 wherein it 'will be noted that thesafety cable 24 has been moved 7 substantially to its outermost positionand is slack upon return to its starting position which is indicated infull lines. The forward position of the arm 21 is also indicatedby'dotted lines in FIG. 2.,

V a In some installations it is desirable to adjust the angular positionof the arm in the plane of its axis of rotation, and in FIG. 7 there isillustrated an arrangement of the; arm whereby this maybe accomplished.In FIG. 7 corresponding parts of the assembly have been designated bythe same numerals as employed in FIGS. 1 through 6 with the addition ofthe suffix letter a.

The arm 21a of FIG. 7 comprises a base portion 60 which is in the formof a socket of rectangular cross section having one wall cut away asindicated at 61. The main body portion of the arm indicated at 62 ispivotally secured within the socket member 60 by a bolt 63. This armportion is provided with an angularly cut lower end which in theillustration shown is at an angle of substantially 45 as indicated at64. When the bolt 63 is loosened the arm 62 may be moved to the dottedline position wherein the face 64 lies against the wall of the socket 6hopposite the opening er and the arm extends through the opening 61. Whenthe bolt 63 is tightened this provides a rigid connect-ion of the arm atan angle which affords mounting of the base 22 in a position offset fromthe line of movement of the cable attached to the tong.

In FIG. 8 there is shown an embodiment of the invention wherein an arm65 pivotally mounted on a shaft 66 is biased to the full-line positionshown by a compression spring 67 mounted in a housing 6?, rigidlyattached to the supporting structure. The shaft 66' is rigidly securedin a base structure 69 and the hub of the arm 65, indicated at 7%, isconnected to an operating rod 71 of the spring 67 by an arcuate link 72pivoted to the hub at '73 and to the link 71 at 74. A guide block 75 isprovided through which the rod 74- passes and a guide plunger 76 securedto the end of the rod 71 engages the spring 67. When the arm 65 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction by a tong cable which may beattached to a loop 77, the rod 71 is moved to the right and compressesthe spring 67, thereby building up the required restoring force.

In FIG. 9 there is illustrated an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 8and corresponding parts have been designated by the same numerals withthe addition of the letter 11. This modification differs from that ofFIG. 8 in that a closed compression cylinder 79 filled with air or asuitable gas is employed, the cylinder being provided with a piston 80which is moved to the right upon rotation of the arm 65b throughoperation of the rod 71b so that gas within the chamber 79 is compressedand provides a restoring force when the arm 65b is released.

In FIG. 10 there is illustrated an arrangement wherein two taperedhelical springs 82 are provided one on either side or" the hub 83 of anarm 84, the assembly being mounted in a base having upstanding endplates 85. The arm 34 is mounted on a shaft 86 secured bet-ween the endplates and about which the springs '82 are arranged, and the springshave their outer ends secured in holes drilled in end plates 85 asindicated at 87 and their inner ends are secured in holes drilled in thehub 83, as indi cated at 38. Upon rotation of the arm 8-4 about theshaft 86 restoring force is stored in the springs 82 and efiects returnofrthe arm on release.

While the invention has been described in connection with specificstructural arrangements, various modifications and other applicationswill occur to'those skilled in the art. Therefore it is not desired thatthe invention be limited to the details of constructionillustrated anddescribed and it is intended by the appended claims to cover allmodifications which fall Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claimt.

l. Ina well rig equipment including a ratchet-type tong or the like andpower means for. operating the tong, a

tong return unit comprising a support attaching the unit to a rigplatform or the like, an elongated arm, means securing said arm to saidsupport for swinging movement toward and away from a well head and forbiasing said arm to return to a predetermined starting position on saidsupport, means connecting the outer end of said arm to the outer end ofthe tong for operating movement with the tong against the resistance ofsaid means for securing and biasing whereby upon release of the tongsaid means for securing and biasing returns the tong to its startingposition, and means for adjusting the angular position of said arm aboutan axis transverse to the swinging axis of said arm without dismantlingthe unit.

2. A tong return device for well rigs and the like comprising a base forattaching the device to a fixed support, an elongated arm, means forswingably mounting said arm on said base and for biasing said arm towarda predetermined position, means on said arm remote from said lastmentioned means for connecting the outer end of said arm to the tong,said mounting means comprising a block of solid resilient rubber-likematerial fixedly secured to the inner end of said arm and constituting ahub therefor and means securing said block to said base whereby swingingmovement distorts said block and creates a restoring force to returnsaid arm toward said predetermined position, and means for adjusting theelfective length of said arm between said mounting means and said tongconnecting means.

3. A tong return device for well rigs and the like comprising a base forattaching the device to a fixed support, an elongated arm, means forswingably mounting said arm on said base and for biasing said arm towarda predetermined position, said mounting means comprising a block ofsolid resilient rubberalike material fixedly secured to the inner end ofsaid arm and constituting a hub therefor and means for securing saidblock to said base whereby swinging movement distorts said block andcreates a restoring force to return said arm toward said predeterminedposition, said block extending transversely of the longitudinal axis ofsaid arm and being provided with a longitudinal central passage, saidarm having rigid clamping means gripping the central portion of saidblock and said block extending beyond said clamping means at both sidesof said arm, a rigid tubular member in said passage in the centralportion of said block for preventting collapse of said passage by saidclamping means, and means mounted on said base and connecting both endsof said block in stationary relationship to said base for gripping saidends and for compressing said block longitudinally of said passage, saidblock having free portions near both ends between said gripping meansand said clamping means so as to allow movement of the central portionrelative to the stationary ends of said block.

4. A tong return device -for well rigs and the like comprising a basefor attaching the device to a fixed support, an elongated arm, means forswingably mounting said arm on said base and for biasing said arm towarda predetermined position, said mounting means comprising a block ofsolid resilient rubber-like material fixedly secured to the inner end ofsaid arm and constituting a hub therefor and means for securing saidblock to said base whereby swinging movement distorts said block andcreates a restoring force to return said arm toward said predeterminedposition, said block comprising a hub of cylindrical form having acentral passage transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arm, saidhub extending beyond the sides of said arm, a clamp on the inner end ofsaid arm about said block, a rigid tubular member within the passage insaid block for resisting the pressure of said clamp, said block and saidclamp having interfitting grooves and projections for preventingrotation of said clamp on said block, and clamping means on said basecomprising end members engaging the end portions of said block and meansfor urgin said end members toward one another to compress said block,said block and said end members having interfitting portions to preventrotation thereof relative to the central portion.

5. A tong return unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said end membersare of cupdike form and said means for urging them together comprises abolt extending through the passage in said block and arranged to drawsaid members toward one another against said block along itslongitudinal axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,316,500 Moore ept. 16, 1919 1,753,985 Flintermann Apr. 8, 19301,835,013 Chryst Dec. 8, 193-1 1,993,260 Burns Mar. 5, 1935 2,352,446Pointer June 27, 1944 2,380,191 Sauzedde July 10, 1945 2,488,080 EdwardsNov. 15, 1949 2,547,483 Mersereau Apr. 3, 1951 2,552,521 Coshow May 15,1951

1. IN A WELL RIG EQUIPMENT INCLUDING A RATCHET-TYPE TONG OR THE LIKE ANDPOWER MEANS FOR OPERATING THE TONG, A TONG RETURN UNIT COMPRISING ASUPPORT ATTACHING THE UNIT TO A RIG PLATFORM OR THE LIKE, AN ELONGATEDARM, MEANS SECURING SAID ARM TO SAID SUPPORT FOR SWINGING MOVEMENTTOWARD AND AWAY FROM A WELL HEAD AND FOR BIASING SAID ARM TO RETURN TO APREDETERMINED STARTING POSITION ON SAID SUPPORT, MEANS CONNECTING THEOUTER END OF SAID ARM TO THE OUTER END OF THE TONG FOR OPERATINGMOVEMENT WITH THE TONG AGAINST THE RESISTANCE OF SAID MEANS FOR SECURINGAND BIASING WHEREBY UPON RELEASE OF THE TONG SAID MEANS FOR SECURING ANDBIASING RETURNS THE TONG TO ITS STARTING POSITION, AND MEANS FORADJUSTING THE ANGULAR POSITION OF SAID ARM ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TOTHE SWINGING AXIS OF SAID ARM WITHOUT DISMANTLING THE UNIT.